Season Extension in Organic Systems

Abstract

Season extension technology is a great tool for farmers looking to increase market presence and control environmental variables. In this chapter, we address season extension technologies in the context of organic and near-organic production systems. There are regulatory, monetary, and ecological questions that go with any farming endeavor. Season extension technologies and systems also have these questions. It will be left to the reader to draw their own conclusions and make their own choices about the appropriateness of the technology in a given system. It can be noted, though, that the more intense and effective the season extension technology employed, the more likely it is to be among the more resource-intensive tools available. This is a somewhat logical conclusion when one considers a technology such as choosing a heat-tolerant cultivar of tomato for summer production versus using artificial shading systems to produce a less heat-tolerant cultivar during the heat of summer. However, even the most resource-intensive technologies have significant positive aspects about them. Vertical farming using hydroponics is perhaps the most resource-intensive system discussed in the following pages. These systems allow production of huge amounts of food in very small areas, millions of pounds per acre in some cases. The systems can be very resource and capital intense. They present huge regulatory questions as well, questions that regulators have weighed in on and will continue to weigh in on. Farmers, advocates, and communities will have to discuss these and other systems to find their place in the local, regional, and global food systems of the future. Organic farming will continue to be a part of that system; in what form remains to be worked out. One more thing, before we begin looking at season extension in organic systems directly. Although the ranks of organic gardeners and hobbyists outnumber organic farmers by a huge margin, this chapter is slanted toward commercial, for profit farms. These include the very smallest herb farm selling to five local restaurants, to the very largest farms growing four crops on dozens of acres. Most of what follows has applicability to all sizes of organic and near-organic farms, with a large amount being relevant to all those farming edible horticulture crops (fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers). Now, on to season extension in organic systems.